Elden Ring is THE Soulslike game, not counting Dark Souls. It is the biggest, both in terms of popularity and in sheer size. While not representing the genre's first attempt at open-world design (Ashen beat it by four years), FromSoftware's masterpiece showcased that the formula could be translated into this format without diminishing its strengths. The base game is extremely long, and that does not take into account the potential for repeat playthroughs with different builds that cater to diverse playstyles. Even if you have been playing Elden Ring since its 2022 launch, you could still be finding new ways to enjoy it today, and that does not even take into account the brutally difficult "Shadow of the Erdtree" expansion or the Nightreign stand-alone spin-off.
Still, a time will come when the urge to step away from The Lands Between and travel to new realms becomes irresistible, and there are roughly a billion Soulslike games out there that could satisfy that desire. The subgenre is nowadays a huge part of the action RPG sphere, to the point that the selection can be overwhelming. Therefore, let's simplify the process and highlight a few games that Elden Ring fans should try out. The goal is not to promote very similar Soulslike games that adhere strictly to the FromSoftware blueprint, but rather titles that build upon its foundation to craft something that is mostly unique.
To hopefully ensure that the article contains at least one new recommendation for most people, I have incorporated both well-known and obscure titles. The former are for people on the fence, and the latter are for Soulslike veterans looking for something they might have missed.
Also, I went back and forth on whether to include Immortal: Unchained, and ultimately decided against it. The game is brutally difficult and fairly unique due to its focus on third-person shooter gameplay, even predating the Remnant games. However, it is too rough around the edges for a full recommendation. Still, give it a look if you are craving a shooter Soulslike.
The First Berserker: Khazan
A Punishingly Difficult And Fast-Paced Soulslike That Is All About Combat
The First Berserker: Khazan
- Released
- March 27, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Neople
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Although Soulslike games are common nowadays, the genre is still niche enough that only about 3 or 4 games per year capture the public zeitgeist and become fixtures of online discourse for a while. The First Berserker: Khazan will be remembered as one of the biggest and best Soulslikes of 2025, but that does not mean it should be recommended to just about everybody. Neople's effort is entirely devoted to combat and boss fights, and the game does not pull its punches at any point. Exploration is minimal and fairly unengaging, so if you are specifically craving Metroidvania-esque design or Elden Ring's open nature, Khazan will not satisfy you.
8 Things That Make The First Berserker: Khazan A Unique Soulslike Game
Here's what makes The First Berserker: Khazan stand out from other games in the souls-like genre.
Now, Khazan's core combat is not that different from something like Dark Souls or, especially, Sekiro, but its focus on aggressive action, perfect guarding, and brutal attacks helps set it apart from the crowd. Unlike Elden Ring, you are not given free rein to craft wildly different builds, as Khazan is a fixed protagonist who uses three weapon types: Dual Wield, Spear, and Greatsword. All three classes feel pretty different from each other, and you are encouraged to utilize all of them during a campaign (rather than just sticking to one).
Nioh 2
Team Ninja's Unique Spin On The Soulslike Formula
Nioh 2
- Released
- March 13, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Full disclaimer, Nioh 2 is my favorite Soulslike after Bloodborne, so this recommendation might be slightly biased. However, in terms of pure combat, a strong argument could be made that Nioh 2 represents the genre's peak, even eclipsing Elden Ring. All of Team Ninja's efforts have top-notch gameplay systems that are somewhat similar to each other, but this release combines them in the most gratifying and complete way.
From the awesome and varied Burst Counters to the many Yokai Skills and weapon types, you have almost too many mechanics and tools at your disposal. Still, they never feel exhausting since they are built around rock-solid combat that is all about reading enemy movement and timing your strikes. The core formula is pure Soulslike, while everything else elevates Nioh 2 to extreme heights. The game is also chock-full of content, especially if you opt for the complete edition, which comes with the DLC (that is 100% worth it). The levels are linear and mission-based, which is not a bad thing by any means.
There is No Light
An Unapologetically Dark 2D Soulslike Dripping In Style And Horror
There is No Light
- Released
- September 19, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Zelart
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Action, 2D, Hack and Slash
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Soulslikes became a staple part of the gaming release cycle due to the sheer volume of 2D indie projects, which likely eclipses the number of full-blown 3D games. Obviously, if you are completely against the idea of playing in this dimension, there is nothing I can say that will make you want to pick up There Is No Light or even the next recommendation – feel free to skip ahead. However, if you enjoy something like Blasphemous, you will definitely want to check out Zelart's 2022 title, which features some of the most gorgeous pixel art in the genre. Somehow, the game manages to be beautiful despite bringing to life an ugly and nightmarish hellscape.
The premise is fairly unique for a Soulslike, as it involves a father trying to save their child from a brutal end, which adds conventional personal stakes that are usually absent in these games. For the combat, There Is No Light is an absolute delight that combines style, depth, and challenge seamlessly. You have access to four weapons, and you are meant to switch between them regularly to use skills and adapt to enemies. The skills are incredibly flashy and awesome, and they are well-balanced since activating one results in its weapon not being accessible for a while. As such, you have to time your electrifying explosions wisely.
Dark Devotion
Classic Soulslike Combat Blended With Roguelite Progression
Dark Devotion
- Released
- April 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Fighting, Soulslike
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC
The second and last 2D Soulslike featured in this article, Dark Devotion has seemingly been largely forgotten since its 2019 debut, which is a shame as there is a lot to enjoy here. Before going further, I have to admit that this game barely fits the "unique combat" criteria as the core gameplay was designed to be as close to Dark Souls as possible, albeit reframed for a 2D plane. Dark Devotion came out at a time when the market was not flooded with these projects, so it was relatively original at the time. More importantly, the combat feels good, at least if you like the basic Souls rhythm. Your movement and attacks feel heavy, although that can be circumvented by focusing on faster weapon types.
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Dark Devotion's unique voice stems from its progression structure, which also directly impacts gameplay. Essentially, this is a roguelite that has you starting from the base hub after defeat, and you lose nearly all of your items and have to recollect weapons and armor. There are permanent upgrades that you can depend on in later runs, but they are not typically the best in class. Unlike Dead Cells' use of procedural generation to create new levels for each run, Dark Devotion has a static map that does not change, which puts it more in line with traditional Soulslikes.
Absolver
Soulslike Fused With Fighting Game Mechanics
Absolver
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sloclap
- Platform(s)
- Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Maybe it is my memory failing me, but I seem to recall Absolver being a fairly huge deal in 2017. At that point, we only had a handful of Soulslike games, and the ones that existed mostly felt like a poor man's Dark Souls. When SloClap came around with a title that revolved around hand-to-hand combat and took inspiration from the fighting genre, it redefined the definition of Soulslikes to mean more than just games that copy FromSoftware's homework. Even nearly a decade later, Absolver is still a one-of-a-kind experience that is not only a must-play for Soulslike fans but also players who love SloClap's Sifu.
Now, I will say that the main selling point is PvP, which makes sense considering this is also a fighting game. Nowadays, the online scene is not particularly active, so do not specifically pick this up for that element. That said, Absolver has a solid single-player campaign that will see you go up against a plethora of difficult boss fights, all the while exploring a pretty cool world. The game is often on sale these days, so it is worth picking up just for the solo content.
AI Limit
A Soulslike That Foregoes Stamina In Favor Of Something Different
AI Limit
- Released
- March 27, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sense Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
Releasing close to The First Berserker: Khazan, AI Limit was completely overshadowed by its bigger contemporary, but they are oddly complementary releases. While Khazan shines in its aggressive, frantic gameplay, AI Limit excels in its intricate world design, challenging but mostly fair fights, and novel twists to its combat. The basic gameplay loop is fairly typical Soulslike, but AI Limit has a surprising range of innovative ideas. Rather than stamina, the game uses a Sync Rate meter that increases when you pull off attacks or other moves, improving your effectiveness in combat. This system constantly rewards or punishes your performance, creating a rhythm that echoes the flow of battle.
Beyond the Sync Rate, AI Limit has a few other novelties. For one, you have to equip mechanics like counters or a shield, and you cannot have them both on at the same time. As such, you will need to pick a lane when facing off against a boss, which adds another element of strategy. The game loves its flashy spells and weapon skills, too.
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Dark Souls is a classic, but notoriously difficult game. For gamers who want something more forgiving, these similar titles are great choices.